A 200-year-old decorative screen originally owned by a Chinese emperor has been uncovered and is set to fetch £1.2million at auction.

The stunning 12ft wide example of Imperial Chinese artwork was owned by the Jiaqing Emperor, who reigned from 1796 to 1820.

It features 64 porcelain panels which are decorated with scenes of Daoist Immortals - saint-like figures who represent good fortune and longevity.

The 64-panel screen would have sat behind the emperor's throne as a sign of power and luxury in the late 18th and early 19th century Chinese court

The beautiful plaques also show carefully-painted images of flowers, birds and other symbols, which are framed by 12 leaves carved out of huanghuali wood.

Screens were often used for decorative purposes and stood behind the thrones to show luxury and power. It is unknown how the 5ft high screen left China, although experts believe it could have been sold following the decline of the Qing dynasty.

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It has been owned by an Italian family for the last 40 years, who are now selling it through Bonhams auction house in London.

Historical items from China are currently commanding massive prices, with wealthy Chinese buyers eager to repatriate their country’s cultural heritage.

The panels feature images of Daoist Immortals surrounded by flowers, birds and other symbols, framed by 12 leaves made from huanghuali wood

The screen is believed to have belonged to Jiaqing Emperor, who ruled China from 1796 to 1820, a tumultuous time in Chinese history in which there was two attempts on the emperor's life

A
500-year-old wine cup recently made £18million and a vase discovered by
woman from Pinner, Middlesex, in her aunt's house sold for £25million.

Asaph
Hyman, director of Chinese art at Bonhams, said: 'This is a very rare
thing to have on the market and I have only seen one other like it in
recent years.

'We have dated the screen back to the Jiaqing period which was from 1796 to 1820. It would have been a royal item made for an Imperial court, and would have most likely been displayed in one of the throne rooms.

One panel (left) depicts the immortal Han Xiang playing his life-giving flute while crossing the sea on the back of a crab and another (right) shows Zhongli Quan, with fan in hand, standing on Hai's mythical three-legged toad

One panel (left) depicts the 'seven daughters of the Jade Emperor' who travelled to the mortal world, and another (right) shows the immortal Lu Dongbin riding on a cloud

'Behind the thrones themselves there were often very impressive screens made from a variety of materials from wood to enamel. It was made for decorative purposes and would have been there to signify luxury, power, and cost.

'It is a great show piece that makes a significant impact and it is made from huanghuali wood which is one of the most precious types used.

'As it was made for a Qing Palace, no cost was spared in its production making use of the finest materials and artisan skills.

'The rare screen is a statement of Chinese Imperial art at its zenith demonstrating Qing dynasty master-craftsmanship. It includes 64 porcelain panels which are very beautiful and they are covered in scenes of daoist immortals.'